Device and method for connecting profiles

ABSTRACT

The device for connecting profiles comprises a body exhibiting first and second connecting means on each of its opposed walls adapted for respectively engaging on a first and second portion of each profile, the first and the second portion being at different distances from the axis of said profile.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the US national phase of PCT applicationPCT/EP03/06936, filed 30 Jun. 2003, published 8 Apr. 2004 as WO2004/029467, and claiming the priority of Italian patent applicationMI2002A002016 itself filed 24 Sep. 2002, whose entire disclosures areherewith incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and a method of connectingprofiles.

In particular in the following description, reference shall be made todevices for connecting profiles made of a composite material withplastic material matrix, such as for example plastic reinforced by fibreglass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of profiles made of composite material has widely spread and insome applications it has replaced the use of profiles made of a metalmaterial, thanks to the features of the material, which can besummarized as high resistance to fire and/or to high temperatures,together with good mechanical properties and lack of corrosion problems.

Of course, such profiles are used in combination with other profiles formaking variously complex structures that should be capable of performingtheir functions, such as off-shore applications and the manufacture ofgrids.

However, the manufacture of connections between the various profiles hasconsiderable disadvantages; in fact, it is very dangerous to make nailedor bolted connections since very high internal tensions are created theprofile portions gripped between the bolts, which can cause the profileto break, with easily imaginable negative consequences, sometimes alsodue to the different thermal expansion levels of the components.

Moreover, metal or similar mechanical connections do not provideresistance to high temperatures and/or to fire, are very complex,require appropriate equipment, and are difficult to make using automatedsystems.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention therefore is making a device and amethod of connecting profiles that should make it possible to eliminatethe above technical disadvantages of the prior art.

Within this technical task, an object of the invention is that of makinga device and a method that should allow connecting to one anotherprofiles made of a composite material, such as plastic reinforced byfibre glass, which should exhibit a high resistance to high temperaturesand/or to fire without the risk of mechanical weakening portions of theprofiles during connection and eliminating the risk of residue tensionsof the profiles after the connection, as may be generated by the nailsor bolts installed.

Another object of the invention is that of making a device and a methodthat should be applicable in a flexible manner, adapting them to thespecific construction circumstances and in an automated manner; forexample, the device can be installed in two mutually opposed directions(that is, turned by 180°) and the connection procedure can provide for aclockwise or a counterclockwise rotation.

Last but not least, another object of the invention is that of making adevice and a method of connecting profiles that should be applicableusing known tools, such as for example simple spanners, so as tofacilitate the installation work of the operators or of the automaticmachine and that should have an efficient and lasting connection overtime.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical task, as well as these and other objects according to thepresent invention, are attained with a device for connecting profilescomprising a body having on each of its opposed walls first and secondwings adapted for engaging a first and second portion of each of theprofiles, the first and second portions being at different distancesfrom the (previously presented) of the profile.

The present invention also relates to a method of connecting profiles,characterized in that it consists in arranging at least a first and asecond double-T profiles made side by side, introducing a connectingdevice between the first and second lips of the first and secondprofile, introducing the wings between the first and second flange withlongitudinal (previously presented) arranged along the development ofthe profile and resting the wings against the central member of thefirst and second profile, and in rotating the device clockwise andcounterclockwise by about 90 degrees for respectively engaging the winginto the first portion of the profile and the seat on the end of thefirst and second lips of the second flanges of the first and secondprofile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear moreclearly from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodimentof the device and of the method of connecting profiles according to theinvention, where the device is illustrated by way of a non-limitingexample in the attached drawings. Therein:

FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of a device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a profile that can house the deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the profile of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 shows a section of a device according to the invention, connectedto two profiles.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

A device 1 for connecting profiles comprises a body 2 having, on each ofits opposed walls, first and second wings 11 adapted for respectivelyengaging on first and second portions 3 and 4 of each of the profilesglobally indicated with reference numeral 5. Advantageously, as will bebetter explained hereinafter, the first and the second portions 3 and 4are at different distances from the axis A of each profile 5 and inparticular, the first portion 3 is at a smaller spacing from the axis Athan the second portion 4.

For more descriptive clarity, it is noted that the profiles 5 have asection shaped as a double T, so as to have a central member 6 from theends of which a first and a second flange 7 and 8 opposed to one anotherand orthogonal to it extend. At their ends, the first and second flange7 and 8 have first and second lips 9 and 10.

In particular, the wings 11 are each spaced from the body 2 by a spacingforming an upwardly open slot 14 substantially equivalent to thethickness of the first and second lips 9 and 10 and more precisely, suchas to create a predetermined friction upon connection. The wings 11 eachalso form a downwardly open slot 12 substantially having a widthequivalent to the thickness of the first and second lips 9 and 10 of thesecond flange 8.

The first portion 3 of the profile is d formed by the slot definedbetween the upper lips 9 and 10 of the first flange 7 whereas the secondportion 4 of the profile is defined by the ends of the lower lips 9 and10 of the second flange 8.

The wing 11 has a tapered shape with rounded end, so as to allow itsrotation without interference during the connection of the device withthe profiles. The slot 12 has a length substantially equal to the lengthof the body 2 (but of course it can be of any desired length accordingto requirements) and its floor has a central straight portion 15 and twoend rounded portions 16, so as to allow rotation of the body 2 duringits connection to the profile without any interference.

Advantageously, the walls of both the wing 11 and the slot 12 areslightly inclined for determining, during their connection with the slot3 of the first flange 7 and the edge 4 of the first and second lips 9and 10 of the second flange 8, both a recovery of any backslash and apredetermined friction during fixing to the profile.

In this way, the wing 11 advantageously engages with the slot 3, whichis stiff, whereas the straight portion 15 and the rounded end portions16 elastically work on the first and second lips 9 and 10 of the secondflange 8, which is therefore subject—during the connection—to a limitedbending moment, allowing at the same time the connection and the hold byan elastic return on portion 4 that, as seen, has a large connectionwidth.

As seen, the device is perfectly symmetrical and made in a single pieceand in a material that can stand both high temperatures and fire, alsoallowing use or the profile or profiles in any position by a clockwiseand counterclockwise rotation and by 180° rotation as well.

The device further comprises, on each wing 11, a recess 20 and a passage21 communicating with it and with an outside surface 22 of the body forthe passage of an adhesive.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, since the device is symmetrical thetwo passages 21 will both converge into the same adhesive inlet 24.

The raised portion 20 has a substantially triangular shape so as tofacilitate the adhesive flow inside an space 25 formed with the wing 11and the second flange 8 and adapted for collecting the adhesive in suchway as to ensure a further considerable holding force between thedevices and the profiles after their mutual connection.

Of course, besides being rectangular to be easily rotated by any wrenchof tool, the body 2 can have an extension, not shown, for attachingother optional accessories.

The method according to the invention of connecting profiles consists inarranging at least a first and a second double-T profile next to oneanother, made according to the above description, and in introducing thedevice described above between the first and second lips 9 and 10 forexample of the first and second profile.

The wings 11 are introduced into the first and second profile (theexample of course also applies to a plurality of profiles to beconnected) between the first and second flanges 7 and 8 withlongitudinal axis arranged along the development of the profile itself.

Then, the wings are fitted to the central element 6 of the first andsecond profile and body 2 is turned clockwise or counterclockwise byabout 90° for engaging both wings 11 into the first portions 3 of bothprofiles and the slot 12 with the ends 4 of the first and second lips 9and 10 of the second flanges 8 of both the first and second profile asshown in FIG. 6.

Once several devices have been connected to profiles according torequirements (they can be connected or disconnected several times), itis possible to introduce an adhesive into inlets 24 so as permanentlyconnect the devices to the profiles.

Advantageously, moreover, on the surface facing toward the centralelement of each wing 11 there is at least one rib (not represented inthe drawings) suitable for forming clearances between the two surfacesduring the coupling of the connection device with the profiles. The ribcan be straight or, in a preferred solution, curved so as not to blockthe rotation of the connection device during its installation but, onthe contrary, to guide it during such an operation. Moreover, whetherthe rib is straight or curved it has a tapered shape, i.e. higher in thecentral part and lower in the two opposite end parts with respect to thecentral part. In this way a progressive engagement of the rib with thecentral element 6 is obtained during the rotation operation. In avariant, moreover, the seat 14 can have a depth equal to the length ofthe wings 9 and 10 so that the wings engage with the base of the seat14.

The operation of the device for connecting profiles according to theinvention is evident from what described and illustrated and inparticular, it substantially is as follows:

When the device is installed, the mechanical hold action ensured bywings 11 into slots 3 and by ends 4 of lips 9 and 10 of the secondflange 8 into seats 12 and of the adhesive inserted into the recesses 20ensures the connection of each profile to the device and thereforeensures the mutual connection between profiles 5 in an equally spacedmanner.

The devices can be installed along the profiles in any position alsoadapted for allowing shortening predetermined profiles in case of need.

Advantageously, seats 12 are provided with a wide straight surface forresting against the profiles so as to distribute the strains and preventconcentrated stresses that could be very harmful and have low resistanceto stresses.

Advantageously, the rotation can be either clockwise or counterclockwiseand thanks to the symmetry of the profiles, the device can be installedin one and in the opposed direction on the profiles; this allowsobtaining a great flexibility in the assembly, also automated, of theprofiles.

In practice it has been noted that the device and the method ofconnecting profiles according to the invention are especiallyadvantageous since they allow making structures made of a compositematerial, such as plastic reinforced by fibre glass with matrix made ofplastic material, very strong and resistant with a high resistance tocorrosion and to fire and in an automated manner.

Several changes and variants can be made to the device and the method ofconnecting profiles thus conceived, all falling within the scope of theinventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced by technicallyequivalent elements.

In practice the materials used as well as the sizes, can be of any typeaccording to the requirements in to the prior art.

1. In combination with a pair of double-T profiles each having a flatcentral member centered on an upright axis and upper and lower endflanges each having outer edges formed with respective downwardly andupwardly projecting lips forming with the central member respectivedownwardly and upwardly open seat grooves, a connector formed unitarilywith: a central body fittable between the profiles and a pair ofopposite wings projecting from the body, engageable with respectivefaces of the respective central members of the profiles, and each havingan upwardly projecting edge fitting into the respective downwardly openseat groove and defining an upwardly open slot into which fits therespective downwardly projecting lip and a downwardly projecting edgefitting into the respective upwardly open seat groove and defining adownwardly open slot into which fits the respective upwardly projectinglip, the upwardly projecting lips bearing directly on floors of therespective downwardly open seat grooves and the downwardly projectinglips being spaced upward from floors of the respective upwardly openseat grooves, the upwardly open slots having floors spaced downward fromthe respective downwardly projecting lips, the downwardly open slotshaving floors each formed with a straight central portion bearingdirectly on the respective upwardly projecting lip and rounded endportions out of contact with the respective upwardly projecting lip suchthat the connector bears directly downward on each of the profiles at alocation that is spaced differently from a location at which it bearsupwardly on the respective profile, the slots and edges extending a fulllength of the body.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein saidwings are spaced from said body by a spacing substantially equal to athickness of the lips.
 3. The combination according to claim 1 whereinthe upwardly open slot has a width substantially equal to a thickness ofthe respective upwardly projecting lip.
 4. The combination according toclaim 1 wherein faces of said wing and of said seat are slightlyinclined for determining, during their connection with said slot andsaid end of said first and second folds of said second face, a recoveryof any backslash and a friction during the fixing.
 5. The combinationaccording to claim 1 wherein the connector is perfectly symmetrical. 6.The combination according to claim 1 wherein the connector can be fittedto said profile by turning it clockwise or counterclockwise.
 7. Thecombination according to claim 1 wherein the body is formed with apassage opening into recesses on faces of the wing and therethrough intothe downwardly directed slots for the introduction of an adhesive. 8.The combination according to claim 7 wherein each recess has asubstantially triangular shape.
 9. The combination according to claim 7wherein said central member has a face forming a space with therespective wing adapted for holding said adhesive.
 10. The combinationaccording to claim 1 wherein said body has an extension for theconnection of accessories.
 11. The combination according to claim 1wherein the connector is formed unitarily of a material resistant tohigh temperatures and/or to fire.